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February 3rd, 2025 Mature Content

Navigating Parenting Challenges and Supporting Teen Mental Health

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  1. Navigating Parenting Challenges and Supporting Teen Mental Health Evergreen Podcasts 53:06

In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan interviews Susan Caso, a seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience. Susan shares her insights on the increasing rates of suicide, particularly among men, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health. She introduces her book, ‘The Parenting Connection,’ which aims to help families build stronger connections. They discuss the challenges of modern parenting, especially regarding screen time and social media’s influence on teens. Susan also talks about her role in the ‘LIV Project’ and its efforts to raise awareness about suicide through a documentary and community initiatives. The conversation covers key strategies for fostering open, trusting Relationships with children, the importance of emotional transparency, and proactive approaches to discussing mental health and suicidal ideation.

As a mom of three with grown and middle school-aged children, Caso understands the complexities of raising kids in today’s hyper-connected world. Her book draws on her 20 years of clinical experience, sharing personal insights and proven strategies for fostering a deep emotional bond between caregivers and teenagers. The Parent-Teen Connection is more than just a guide—it’s a roadmap for parents looking to cultivate what she calls “connectedness” within their families to safeguard teens in today’s world. 

From building trust and belonging through the “mom/dad” role vs. the” parent” role to enhancing communication with their teens utilizing what she terms “the volley,” Caso gives families straightforward advice from both the standpoint of a therapist and a mother who has seen it all.

Susan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Kansas. She studied Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and was trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg.

Learn more at SusanCaso.com.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:00 Susan’s Background and Experience

02:36 Parenting Challenges in the Digital Age

05:40 The LIFT Project and Suicide Awareness

07:37 Proactive Approaches to Suicidal Ideation

09:42 Building Connection and Trust with Teens

13:14 Balancing Support and Independence

31:11 Addressing Suicidal Thoughts in Therapy

34:46 Supporting Friends and Family with Suicidal Thoughts

40:17 The Importance of Emotional Transparency

43:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sponsors of the Podcast:

  • BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of therapy
  • WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
  • Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
  • Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
  • Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ezconversations for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
  • Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez
  • NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial
  • Descript: https://get.descript.com/e2d248wpwtav for creating podcast episodes

If you would like to support EZ Conversations, here are all the ways you can do that:

  • Instagram⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://m.facebook.com/eunoiazen⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • YouTube⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqBp_zdRiIfBRV4wURSZ2A⁠⁠⁠
  • LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-ccc-mba-072a8a1ba/
  • Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/EzConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find Furkhan’s Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections. The Kindle version is available on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.

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